Methlick 2nds lose out to a determined Huntly side at Lairds
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Methlick 2nds played host to Huntly at Lairds on Saturday.
Methlick batted first, setting out with experienced openers Chalmers and Bremaneson, scoring was tough as a young Huntly bowling attack kept a tight line on a very slow pitch.
Bremaneson was tied down completely and on his first aggressive shot was caught at mid-on by Huntly skipper Dawar, a great one handed catch. Anderson was next in and was similarly constrained by good bowling on the dead pitch, he also departed for no runs.
Chalmers was untroubled but scoring was difficult, Rehman joined him and as usual attacked from the start, hitting a couple of boundaries before finding long on who took a good catch, out for 11 runs.
Youngster Davis was next man in, but was quickly out having scored one run.
Chalmers was picking off runs easily now, but needed a partner to stay with him.
Morgan was next in, got a single and was also quickly out.
Skipper Sarafimoski was next in, as Methlick looked to play out the 40 overs.
That strategy was forlorn as Chalmers attempted a crazy single, and was stranded mid pitch.
12 runs was a poor return for a determined innings.
Grant junior was next to the crease and immediately increased the scoring rate, pulling strongly past square leg.
Sarafimoski was looking comfortable until he was too quick on a defensive block and the arial shot was caught at mid-off.
Davis lasted four bowls before being clean bowled. Moir did well in support of Grant, scoring four runs off 31 balls, before being trapped LBW. Grant snr was bowled first ball, leaving Grant jnr stranded on a well constructed 14.
The innings ended on 65 all out, off 35 overs.
After a magnificent tea, Methick set about defending a very small total.
Grant jnr and Davis, a good young pair of opening bowlers, started quite tidily, and in his second over Davis got his first wicket of the season as Dawar mis-hit an attempted pull shot to Davis, who took a good catch.
Huntly were able to score regular boundaries, so were in complete control of the match, but Davis took a prized wicket of the young Huntly opener, Petrie, he carried his bat last season, Grant jnr taking a smart catch at point.
Rehman replaced Davis, bowling tidily without threatening. Bremaneson came on for Grant and claimed a wicket as Clark charged him, Chalmers claiming a straightforward stumping.
Davis came on to bowl as the end neared, a single from Legatt won the match for Huntly in only 11 overs.
A tough day for the home side, but there is progress in a few areas.
The youngsters gain experience and game knowledge with each appearance, catches were taken well.
The batting needs to find a way to build partnerships and score at a better rate.
The next game is away to Dunecht.
